Our keglers fail to find the rhythm in Hong Kong

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s good run at the Men’s World Championships in Hong Kong came to a halt after all the keglers fumbled in the trios event.

The first trio – Adrian Ang, Tun Hakim Hasnul Azam and Rafiq Ismail – scored a total of 1,771 pins in three games to finish 10th in squad two yesterday.

The other trio Syafiq Ridhwan Abdul Malek, Alex Liew and Timmy Tan also did not do well as they finished 24th with a score of 1,612 pins in squad three.

In the overall rankings, the first trio finished 37th while the second trio were placed 72nd.

Sweden’s trio of Mattias Wetterberg, Jesper Svensson and Martin Larsen are on top with 2,029 pins followed by Indonesia’s Billy Muhammad Islam, Hardy Rachmadian and Ryan Leonard Lalisang (2,001) and Holland’s Johnny Spil, Jord van Weeren and Xander van Mazijk (1,997).

Both trio teams will be back in action today. A disappointed Rafiq said they will have to start from zero again.

“It was a bad day for us but that does not mean it’s the end. We have lots of events to go for and we will do our best,” said Rafiq.

“Most of the teams are struggling because of the lane oiling. It was tough for most of us.

“There is still chance and I believe we can do better in the second block tomorrow (today).”

Team manager Maradona Chok said the team got into trouble early as they were unable to adapt to the tricky lane pattern.

“It caused our bowlers to lose composure and made bad shots,” he said.

“Anyhow, we will regroup and get our focus back especially for the team events. “There is still a lot to fight for.”

The bowlers are on course to equal Malaysia’s previous best haul of two medals in Busan in 2006 after qualifying for the doubles and singles semi-finals.

In 2006, Malaysian won silver in team and bronze in trios.